Diego Forlan has been appointed as head coach of Uruguay’s national team and their Under-20s side.
Forlan succeeds Marcelo Bielsa, who stepped down as Uruguay boss after their failure to progress from the group stage at the World Cup.
Uruguay drew with Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde in their opening two matches, before defeat to Spain confirmed the two-time champions’ exit from the competition.
The Uruguayan Football Association stated that Forlan will take up his dual role as part of a project to strengthen the pathway from the Under-20 side into the senior national team.
Former Man United and Atletico Madrid striker Forlan will take charge of the national team for the first time in their upcoming friendlies in September and October.
‘One of the most important figures in the history of La Celeste begins a new chapter: he will be the head coach of both the Under-20 and Senior National Teams,’ a Uruguayan Football Association statement read.
Diego Forlan has been announced as head coach of Uruguay’s national and Under-20 teams
Forlan succeeds Marcelo Bielsa, who oversaw their disastrous World Cup campaign
‘Forlan returns to where he left an indelible mark. A role model, icon, and emblem of an unforgettable generation, the best player of the 2010 South Africa World Cup returns now to contribute his experience, leadership, and profound knowledge of international football from a technical position.
‘The new coach will begin working immediately with the under-20 team. There, he will lead a project aimed at developing young talent, supporting their growth, and strengthening their path to the senior national team.
‘He will work with Santiago Espasandín and Diego Perez as assistant coaches, Marco Mansulino as physical trainer, Ignacio Bordad as goalkeeping coach, and Gabriel Skrilec as video analyst.
‘His first challenge at the helm of the senior national team will come during the September-October international window, when Uruguay plays its FIFA friendly matches.
‘It will mark the beginning of a new era, with one of its greatest idols once again at the helm.’
Reports have claimed that Forlan’s appointment as national team coach is initially on an interim basis, with a review expected to take place in March next year.
During his playing career, Forlan scored 36 goals in 112 appearances for Uruguay and represented the national team at three World Cups and Copa Americas.
Forlan captained and starred for Uruguay on their run to the World Cup semi-finals in 2010
Forlan starred at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where he scored five goals and was named player of the tournament as Uruguay reached the semi-finals for the first time since 1970.
The forward was part of Uruguay’s Copa America winning side the following year.
Forlan has limited managerial experience having coached his former club Penarol for 11 matches before being sacked in 2020, before a brief 12-match spell in charge of Atenas.
The 47-year-old also made his professional tennis debut back in 2024.
